COUNTY DURHAM ARTS IN EDUCATION AGENCY
Registered charity 1086471 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as THE FORGE
County Durham Arts in Education was established in 2001. It trades under the name of The Forge and provides an arts in education service to young people principally in County Durham and the wider region.
Causes: Education/training · Arts/culture/heritage/science · website · Get email alerts
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported an unrestricted surplus of £33,895 for the year ended 31 March 2025, bringing total unrestricted reserves to £271,542. Per the trustees' report, this level of free reserves exceeds the stated policy target of £178,500, providing a buffer for operational continuity and risk mitigation. The charity maintains adequate resources to fund its activities for the foreseeable future with no material uncertainties identified.
Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves policy: £178,500 (held: £271k)
“The total free reserves required by the organisation are therefore £178,500.” — page 5
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Payments to trustees: Ms Sally Dixon received £8,800 in freelance fees for consultancy and programme production services.
“In the year to 31 March 2025, £8,800 (2024: £13,000) in freelance fees were invoiced to the charity by Ms Sally Dixon, a Trustee, for work as a consultant and a freelance programme producer.” — page 29
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Ms Sally Dixon, a Trustee, received freelance fees for work as a consultant and programme producer.
“£8,800 (2024: £13,000) in freelance fees were invoiced to the charity by Ms Sally Dixon, a Trustee, for work as a consultant and a freelance programme producer.” — page 29
“In total, grant funding of £112,554 (2024: £94,054) from Arts Council England was recognised in the year.” — page 34
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Arts Council England, a related party, provided significant grant funding.
“£8,800 (2024: £13,000) in freelance fees were invoiced to the charity by Ms Sally Dixon, a Trustee, for work as a consultant and a freelance programme producer.” — page 29
“In total, grant funding of £112,554 (2024: £94,054) from Arts Council England was recognised in the year.” — page 34
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.
Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook · instagram
- MICHAEL GILBEYchair
- Alison Nicholson
- Dr Judy Ann Thomas
- Gillian Elizabeth Callaghan
Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).
Operates in: Durham · Gateshead · Hartlepool · Middlesbrough · Newcastle Upon Tyne City · North Tyneside · Redcar And Cleveland · South Tyneside · Stockton-on-tees · Sunderland
Income and spending
Common questions
Is COUNTY DURHAM ARTS IN EDUCATION AGENCY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported an unrestricted surplus of £33,895 for the year ended 31 March 2025, bringing total unrestricted reserves to £271,542. Per the trustees' report, this level of free reserves exceeds the stated policy target of £178,500, providing a buffer for operational continuity and risk mitigation. The charity maintains adequate resources to fund its activities for the foreseeable future with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).
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